Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to provide accessible mail-in ballots to voters with disabilities who request them, delivered electronically to the voter's specified contact method. The accessible ballot must include features like audio guidance, braille compatibility, electronic marking, and the ability to print or return the ballot electronically for eligible voters. Eligible voters for electronic return include those who are blind, have visual impairments preventing standard ballot reading, or have physical disabilities affecting ballot handling. The Secretary of State must issue uniform guidelines for election officials to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to track and publicly report natural disaster-related spending by state and local governments, including counties, municipalities, school districts, fire districts, and local authorities. DCA must categorize spending into four clear types: preparedness (planning and training), mitigation (reducing disaster risks), response (immediate actions after a disaster), and recovery (rebuilding communities), while showing funding sources and reimbursement details. The DCA will publish an annual plain-language summary of this data on the state website, making it easily accessible to the public. Local governments and school districts must include this information in their existing annual budget summaries, which will also be made publicly available online.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT), New Jersey Transit (NJT), and Department of Human Services (DHS) to study and improve transportation accessibility for people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities. Specifically, it mandates DOT to review current infrastructure design practices for highways and transit projects, then adopt new standards to help these individuals travel more independently. The agencies must also study nationwide best practices for operating public transportation and mobility programs to make them more accessible. Finally, DOT must encourage local governments applying for state funding to adopt these improved accessibility standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts the installation or alteration of solar energy systems from building fees and charges in New Jersey, directly affecting homeowners, businesses, and installers who would otherwise pay for construction permits or plan reviews. It updates a 1985 law by replacing outdated references to expired property tax exemption rules with current standards from 2008, ensuring solar systems certified as renewable energy assets qualify for the fee exemption. The key provision removes all municipal, state, and agency fees - including surcharges - for solar installations meeting eligibility criteria under existing property tax law. This change aims to lower upfront costs for solar adoption without altering property tax rules, making renewable energy systems more accessible across the state.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires state and private correctional facilities to provide inmates with free telephone and video calls, meaning neither the inmate nor the person they call pays any fees. It eliminates per-minute charges, service fees, and additional surcharges for all calls, including international calls for state and private facilities. Facilities must still follow state procurement rules when contracting for these services. The policy change aims to reduce financial strain on families and support rehabilitation through consistent communication.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a mandatory brain injury screening and education program within New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) for children and young adults aged 5-21 involved with or at risk of involvement in the state's mental health or juvenile justice systems. The program requires DCF to implement validated screening tools to identify brain injury history, provide foundational training for educators, law enforcement, health providers, and DCF staff, and share resources on brain injury links to juvenile delinquency and mental health. It also mandates outreach to parents, schools, clinics, and community organizations about available treatment services, with annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on program effectiveness. The initiative aims to prevent unnecessary psychiatric hospital admissions and reduce juvenile recidivism through early detection and targeted support.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to remove the automatic disqualification from jury service for individuals with prior convictions of serious crimes (indictable offenses), except for convictions of murder or aggravated sexual assault. It allows people who have completed their sentences for other serious crimes to be considered for jury duty, provided they meet standard qualifications like U.S. citizenship and county residency. The bill does not affect those currently incarcerated for serious crimes, who remain disqualified. This update expands the pool of potential jurors by including more people with past criminal records, while maintaining specific exclusions for the most severe offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates an exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. It would require these venues to become smoke-free, meaning no smoking would be permitted inside for employees, patrons, or visitors. The change directly affects casino operators, staff, and customers at all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities (such as those with slot machines, table games, or dedicated seating for betting). This policy shift extends the existing indoor smoking ban to these locations, removing a long-standing exemption.

Maddy summaryAJR 27 designates November each year as "Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness about hospice and palliative care services. It aims to educate residents about supportive end-of-life care options before health crises or terminal diagnoses occur. The resolution has no legal effect beyond the symbolic designation and proclamation requirement.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A590 bill grants state employees an additional day of administrative leave per year for Eid al-Fitr and an additional day for Eid al-Adha, separate from their standard leave allotment. It requires public school districts to record absences for these holidays as excused, ensuring students face no academic penalties, such as missing awards or tests. The law also mandates that such absences not appear on transcripts or affect eligibility, provided a parent or guardian submits a written excuse.